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Step 1
Plan the tea for about 3:00 p.m. Set up a table with the best linens and china, preferably Irish bone china or porcelain. Stack serving plates and linen napkins for the guests.
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Step 2
Arrange scones, breads and tea cakes on biscuit plates and pedestal plates. Offer the jams and curds in small bone china or crystal bowls with small silver serving spoons. Put out butter, clotted cream and creme fraiche.
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Step 3
Include a centerpiece of "oxalis rubra" (shamrocks) and small floral arrangements set in crystal stemware. Tape a number to the bottom of each tea saucer and assign one of those numbers to the pot of shamrocks.
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Step 4
Have each guest check the number on her plate at the end of the tea. Award the shamrocks to the guest with the matching number.
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Step 5
Serve traditional Irish soda bread, two or three varieties of scones, chocolate potato cake and Irish shortbread. Bake in the early morning so the breads are fresh.
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Step 6
Prepare the tea in a china teapot with loose tea and boiling water. Keep a kettle ready on the stove throughout the tea.
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Step 7
Place the tea service at the other end of the table. Arrange tea cups, saucers, cream and sugar service.
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Step 8
Have someone offer to prepare tea for each guest. Put the milk in the teacup first, filling it about 1/3 full. Add the hot tea, and then the sugar, according to each guest's taste.
